RECOGNIZE TYPES OF PLASTICS AND THEIR RECYCLING POSSIBILITIES

According to Electronic Newspaper, Vietnam releases about 1.8 million tons of plastic waste each year, including more than 30 billion plastic bags, 80% of which are discarded after only one use. Plastics are everywhere, from food packaging, household items to electronic devices, and their popularity has led to serious environmental pollution. To protect the environment and human health, it is extremely necessary to classify and properly treat plastic waste. This article will provide knowledge about types of plastic, their recyclability, and how to distinguish common types of plastic in daily life.

I. What is plastic recycling?

Plastic recycling is the process of collecting, processing and transforming used plastics into new products, helping to reduce plastic waste, save resources and protect the environment. This is an important solution to protect resources and limit negative impacts on the ecosystem.

1.1. Plastic recycling process

The plastic recycling process includes the following steps:

• Step 1: Initial – Used plastic is collected from sources such as households, factories and waste collection facilities, classified by type (PE, PET, PVC, PP, PS, …) to ensure the quality of recycled products.
• Step 2: Crushing – Plastic is crushed into small pieces or granules for easy processing in the following stages.
• Step 3: Cleaning – Plastic is washed to remove dirt and impurities.
• Step 4: Melting and recycling – Plastic is melted and shaped into new products, serving many different fields.

This process not only helps reduce pollution but also optimizes resources and minimizes energy consumption.

1.2. Benefits of plastic recycling

Recycled plastic brings many great benefits to the environment and society:

– Reduce environmental pollution: Recycled plastic helps reduce the amount of plastic waste, limiting ocean and land pollution.

– Save energy and resources: The process of producing recycled plastic consumes less energy than producing plastic from raw materials.

– Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Using recycled plastic reduces the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere due to less dependence on raw materials and energy.

– Create jobs: The plastic recycling industry opens up many job opportunities in the fields of waste collection, sorting, and treatment.

Recycled plastic is used in many fields, from packaging, bottles, toys to construction products and fashion. Using recycled plastic not only protects the environment but also promotes a sustainable circular economy. To recycle properly, consumers need to understand the types of plastic and know how to classify them effectively. Join Khang Anh to discover how to use and recycle plastic properly to contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development.

II. Types of plastics and recyclability
2.1. PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is one of the most popular plastics, playing an important role in many fields thanks to its outstanding properties and high recyclability. PET is widely used in daily life, from bottle production, food packaging to the garment industry.

Applications:

– Bottle production: Widely used in products such as mineral water bottles, soft drinks.

– Food packaging: Used in packaging of confectionery, canned food.

– Textile industry: PET is made into synthetic fibers for clothing and costumes.

– Other applications: PET is also used in films, medical instruments and children’s toys.

Recyclability: PET is an easily recyclable plastic that can be reused into new products without losing important properties. Recycling PET helps reduce waste, save natural resources and protect the environment.

2.2. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

HDPE, or High-Density Polyethylene, is a popular plastic with high durability and good heat resistance. HDPE is widely used in many industries and daily life.

Applications of HDPE plastic:

– Hard plastic bottles: HDPE is used to produce bottles for chemicals, milk, and drinking water. These bottles are waterproof, pressure-resistant, and can withstand high temperatures.

– Water pipes: HDPE is an ideal choice for water pipes thanks to its corrosion resistance and long life.

– Conveyor belts: In factories, HDPE is used as conveyor belts thanks to its durability and abrasion resistance.

– Cosmetic packaging: HDPE is also used to produce cosmetic packaging because it does not react with chemicals and is safe for users.

Recyclability: HDPE plastic is completely recyclable. After use, HDPE can be collected and recycled into many new products such as household appliances and construction materials, contributing to reducing plastic waste and protecting the environment.

2.3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is one of the most popular plastics, widely used in many industries thanks to its good water resistance and heat resistance.

Applications of PVC plastic:

– Water pipes: PVC is used in water pipe systems thanks to its waterproof, anti-corrosion and high durability.

– Children’s toys: PVC is also used to produce many types of toys, but attention should be paid to additives to ensure children’s safety.

– Tarpaulin: PVC is an ideal choice for tarpaulin thanks to its durability, water resistance and UV resistance.

– Wallpaper: PVC is used to make wallpaper with the advantages of being waterproof, easy to clean and creating beauty for the interior space.

Recyclability: A major disadvantage of PVC is that it cannot be recycled. Due to containing many additives and toxic chemicals, the recycling process of PVC is very difficult and not environmentally friendly. Although PVC plastic has many useful applications, it needs to be used carefully because of its negative impacts.

2.4. LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) Plastic

LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) plastic is a popular plastic, known for its superior toughness and water resistance, often found in everyday products.

Applications of LDPE plastic:

– Containers: LDPE is used to produce containers due to its flexibility and high durability.

– Bottles: LDPE makes soft bottles, ensuring safety and ease of use.

– Straws: LDPE is a popular material in the production of straws for the food and beverage industry.

– Plastic bags: LDPE is ideal for plastic bags due to its flexibility and good water resistance.

– Food wrap: LDPE is used to produce food wrap, helping to preserve food fresh and safe.

Recyclability: LDPE can be recycled, but the process is not completely effective. Many LDPE products are not easily recycled and are often disposed of as waste. LDPE plastic brings many benefits in daily life, but recycling is still limited, requiring attention in use and waste management.

2.5. PP (Polypropylene) plastic

Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile plastic, outstanding for its high impact and heat resistance, widely used in many industries and daily life.

Applications of PP plastic:

– Packaging: PP is often used in packaging production thanks to its durability and impact resistance, providing good protection for the products inside.

– Printing: PP is used in printed products such as labels and high-quality packaging.

– Kitchenware: PP is an ideal choice for food containers, water bottles, and other kitchenware thanks to its heat resistance and food safety.

– Toys: PP is also used to produce children’s toys, ensuring durability and safety.

Recyclability: Although PP can be recycled, the complex recycling process and lack of infrastructure make recycling limited. Many PP products are still discharged into the environment, putting pressure on the waste treatment system.

2.6. PS (Polystyrene) Plastic

Polystyrene (PS) is a common plastic in everyday life, with many diverse applications. However, PS has caused much controversy regarding its negative impacts on the environment and health.

Applications of PS plastic:

– Foam packaging: PS is often used to produce foam packaging thanks to its good insulation and soundproofing properties.

– Lids: PS is used in the production of lids for beverages and consumer products.

– Plastic bottles: Some types of plastic bottles are made from PS to ensure safety and convenience.

– Food trays: PS is used to produce food storage trays, making storage and transportation easy.

– Drinking cups: PS is popular in the production of cups and drinking glasses thanks to its insulation properties and light weight.

Recyclability of PS: low recyclability due to many difficulties due to complex technological requirements and limited infrastructure. PS contains styrene compounds that are harmful to health when exposed for a long time or when melted and are easily broken under strong impact or in high temperature conditions, making recycling difficult.

2.7. Other types of plastics

The number 7 in the recycling triangle represents the mixed plastic group, which includes many special plastics such as:

– Polycarbonate (PC): Often used in applications that require high transparency and durability such as lenses, CDs, and water bottles.

– ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): This plastic is popular in the production of toys, household appliances, and the outer shells of electronic devices due to its outstanding durability.

– Nylon: Used in products that require high strength and elasticity such as textiles, nets, and industrial products.

Recyclability: The recyclability of plastic group 7 depends on the type. Some types such as PC or ABS can be recycled effectively, while others are difficult due to their complex composition and manufacturing process.

III. How to choose safe plastic for human health

To protect the health of you and your family, apply the following principles when choosing safe plastic:

1. Read the Product Label: Most plastic products have a label and plastic code. Check to determine the type of plastic and learn about its properties.

2. Avoid Using Plastics Containing BPA: It is especially necessary to avoid products containing BPA, especially for children’s products and food.

3. Prioritize Safe Plastics: Choose plastics that are considered safe such as plastics No. 1 (PET), No. 2 (HDPE), No. 4 (LDPE), and No. 5 (PP).

4. Limit Soft Plastics Containing Phthalates: Minimize the use of products containing Phthalates, especially those that come into direct contact with food and drinking water.

Applying these principles will help you choose safer plastics for your family’s health.